Hollywood blockbuster filmmaking is hugely affected by insurance and risk management. Actors and actresses starring in mega bucks movies need to be highly insured by the production company in case any accidents or unexpected events should occur that would affect the making of a blockbuster. They can easily get hurt on set, not just during stunts but even a trip or fall could put the actor and film to ruin. Just look at Daniel Craig, breaking his arm during filming for Quantum of Solace causing a delay for several days, which comes at a great cost to any filmmaker. The best way to prevent this from happening? Using the best stuntmen and women in Hollywood to fill in for the actor/actress of course.

Even though it may affect their street cred upon the Hollywood Walk of Fame, most actors and actresses use stunt doubles during action sequences to protect themselves and their insurance policy. Insurance companies often prevent Hollywood stars from making their own choices on whether or not they perform all of their own stunts. Insurance was an issue for Christian Bale on the set of ‘The Fighter’, impeding him from performing his own stunt work.

These amazing stunt doubles are usually trained to perform in a variety of different roles and scenes, such as martial arts, skiing, street fighting, diving and military action. The unsung heroes of the film industry risk their life and limbs on a daily basis to little acclaim.

Who are these fearless stuntmen and women?

Vic Armstrong: Born and bred within a stones throw of Pinewood Studio’s, this stuntman has progressed from performing stunts to coordinating stunt sequences. He has worked on a vast amount of blockbusters for Hollywood, including Indiana Jones, Superman, Star War’s and many 007 films.

Sarah Frenzl: Starting out in the industry in 1992, Sarah has spent the last twenty years doubling for Hollywood’s leading ladies in high profile TV shows and films such as Titanic, Les Miserables, Harry Potter and Dr Who.

Billy Lucas: The long time stuntman has worked on the hottest action films in Hollywood with the best actors you could every hope to meet on movies such as Terminator, Mission Impossible and Total Recall. He met Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1989 on set, and has since become his friend and personal stunt double.

Zoe Bell: Born in New Zealand, Zoe has been working on sets across the globes for both TV and films for a career that has expanded across two decades. She is best known for her stunt roles in Xena Warrior Princess and the infamous Kill Bill double feature.

Measuring Risk

A stunt man is a high-risk job to have. However, there are less dangerous careers involving a bit of danger and Hollywood! Risk management roles measure the risk and value of each asset, but the job is never dull, with requirements in every sector of the economy, covering every eventuality that could happen in everyday life.

Barclay Simpson North America specialises in corporate governance recruitment, including operational risk, credit risk and market risk, with extensive contacts throughout the investment, retail, corporate and commercial banking community in New York. Offering risk management professionals a wide range of exciting career opportunities, take a look at our latest job opportunities and the full range of jobs on offer at www.barclaysimpson.us/risk-jobs.